Outdoor Baby Swings
Is there anything more adorable than a happily swinging baby? If so, it would be a baby swinging in the great outdoors while soaking up sunshine and fresh air. Quick -– grab the camera! This is the stuff memories are made of.
There’s a large variety of kid’s swings out there and you could easily spend several days checking them all out yourself. But why bother? We’ve done it all for you. And what we found will not only save you endless hours - but you’ll gain the key information you need to help you make the right choice for your family.
Here are our picks for the BEST OUTDOOR BABY SWINGS of 2019 available at Amazon:
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The Little Tikes 2-in-1 Snug ‘n’ Secure Baby Swing is an excellent choice for baby’s first swing, indoors or out. It is recommended for ages 9 months to 4 years, up to a weight of 50 pounds.
Its “2-in-1” name refers to the fact that it’s both a baby and toddler swing, which means that it allows for some growing room.
Little Tikes is a well-known brand with many happy customers. They’ve been around for decades and this product is actually made right here in the USA.
This particular swing features an adjustable T-bar that rotates down for loading and unloading your child into the seat, and there are adjustable wrap-around ropes that extend 3 to 3 ½ feet from the top of the seat.
It's easy to use, and there's very little assembly required. Cleaning is a breeze -- simply wipe it down with a damp cloth. This Little Tikes swing is sturdy yet lightweight, and comes with all the hardware you require. It’s available at an attractive price, which is probably a big reason for its success in the marketplace.
One drawback is that there’s no padding to support your baby’s head (but you could certainly supply your own). Also, the shoulder straps can be a little difficult to unsnap at first, but you’ll quickly get the hang of it.
It seems as though this swing sits a little high. No young child preschooler could get in the seat without being lifted into it, so that's a good thing from a safety perspective. It also makes it more convenient to put the child in and get him out.
The Step2 is another pre-formed, molded plastic type swing that provides a comfortable and fun swing for your toddler. It features a built-in restraint system to safely secure kids, and it's easy to both load and unload a child from this swing. With a weight limit of 50 pounds, a child could get plenty of use out of this for at least a year or two.
Because it's made of molded plastic, the Step2 can be wiped-down quite easily and is quite weather resistant. Buyers love the smooth seat, which has no sharp or scratchy edges.
The bucket is a convenient size - one that allows your child to grow with the swing. The seat that holds their rear end has a slight indentation to it, which makes it comfortable for their tiny bums and it places them in just the right position. The shoulder straps help keep them safe and secure. And when they've outgrown the straps, you can simply fasten them underneath so that they’re out of the way.
Step2 makes a quality swing that’s durable and well-made. Ropes are steady and secure. It easily attaches to a swing set frame, and it can be used straight out of the box.
>>Click here to see the Step2 Infant-to-Toddler Swing at Amazon.
(This Step2 swing and the Little Tikes one featured above are both excellent choices for a baby's first outdoor swing.)
If this swing looks familiar to you, rest assured that it's not just your eyes playing tricks on you. It's because this bucket design is very similar to those you see in public parks, playgrounds, and schoolyards everywhere.
And while the manufacturer states that this bucket swing is made from similar high-quality and durable materials as those commercial quality swings, this one is strictly made for residential use.
The swing comes preassembled, so it’s easy to set it up. You simply attach the chains to a swing set (although you’ll have to provide your own S-hooks or spring clips). A really great about this swing is the plastic coated steel chains designed to protect those little fingers from being pinched.
Although the chains are about 66 inches long and designed to hang on an outdoor swing set, you could use this swing inside, with a ceiling up to about 9 feet. (Of course, you’ll need the proper hardware, such as eyebolts and hooks.)
This full bucket model is designed for kids from six months up to 48 months of age. Three and four-year-olds often prefer this swing to others because it's easier for them to stay put. Even when you can push them a little bit higher -- as they often want you to do -- you don’t have to worry about them falling out. Of course, you’ll want to use common sense, as you would with any kind of swing.
Buyers report having left their bucket swing outside in challenging weather for several years without any color distortion or apparent breakdown of the materials.
There isn’t a lot you have to fuss with on the swing. It's simple to set up. And it’s safe. But as with all swings, you wouldn't want to leave your toddler unattended.
Green seems to be the favorite color for bucket swings, but Squirrel Products makes an equally high quality product that also comes in RED, BLUE, and PINK.
>>Click here to see Eastern Jungle Gym's Baby Bucket Swing at Amazon.
The Happy Pie indoor/outdoor swing for toddlers is attractive and well-designed for comfort. It’s made out of canvas, wood, and rope and is quite durable as well as portable. This model is designed for kids from six months up to three years. The quality of workmanship is quite evident with smooth rounded edges. The rope length is adjustable (from 49 to 57 inches), and metal hooks are included for hanging.
It's easy to assemble, and the style and colors fit well with most any decor. You can clearly see the quality of the materials that make it functional and sturdy. The canvas is actually removable so you can clean it periodically. There are also padded little cushions in back and below that can be removed as the child gets bigger.
Unfortunately, there's no safety strap to hold your child in securely. So if you have a toddler who likes to wiggle his way out of things, this may not be the best model for you. And it’s probably not the best option for a baby who still needs support to sit up, but for slightly older kids it could be the perfect choice. This style is a nice classic alternative to the molded plastic swings that are seen everywhere these days.
The description and instructions seem to be written by someone whose first language clearly isn’t English. But if you can get past that, the swing itself is an attractive, well-made, and solid product – a good value for the money.
The Baby Kea model is another wood and canvas style outdoor kid’s swing that works well as a tree swing or on a swing set. It’s available in two colors (forest green and burgundy), it arrives fully assembled, and it is designed to accommodate a child from six months to about 36 months and up to 66 pounds. This is a higher weight capacity than competing models, so if your toddler is heavier than average, you may want to take a closer look.
This swing is built with high-performance, braided rope and spring-loaded clips that make it easy to relocate it from one spot to another. Although the Kea is made in New Zealand, it’s built to conform to strict US safety standards and comes with a five-year warranty for added peace of mind.
Made from natural timber, rot-proof canvas, quality rope, and zinc plated metal hardware, you can use this product indoors or outdoors. All materials used in its construction are childproof. Therefore, you don't have to worry about your child touching, biting, or chewing on any part of it. It’s good to know that your little one will be comfortable, safe, and secure in this handsome and well-crafted Kea swing.
The Edu-Play swing quickly and easily converts from a baby swing to a toddler swing, and then from a toddler swing to a child swing. It's suitable for kids from six months to seven years of age, and the maximum weight capacity is 66 pounds.
When set up as an infant swing, the seat can be adjusted at an incline to provide better support for your baby. With the sturdy T-bar in place, your baby is held comfortably and securely in place.
To change it into a toddler swing, simply remove the T-bar. Remove the back and you have a young child's swing. With this kind of versatility, your chances of getting great value from your purchase increase significantly. (It’s one of the pricier swings, but still a good value for the money.)
The rope provided is fully adjustable. Edu-Play swings are made in South Korea in accordance to American safety standards. Materials used in the construction are water resistant, high-quality, and non-toxic. That’s good to know as a parent of a young child. Although there's not a safety belt on this model, the T-frame holds kids securely in place.
The adjustable back moves forwards and backwards, so you can adapt it to properly fit your child's body so they fit snuggly inside.
All in all, the Edu-Play outdoor baby swing is quite flexible, versatile, and well-made. Since it's easy to adjust the size and make it suitable for different kids, this one makes an excellent option for grandparents who have visiting grandchildren of different ages, sizes and weights.
It may be the most easily transportable of any of the swings we've taken a look at. Hang it on your deck, take it with you to a park, or load in the car for your next camping trip. As long as you have a tree with a solid branch, you're good to go.
Ecotribe is the clear winner in the most environmentally friendly child swing category. Everything about this brand is “green.” The swing itself is made from all-natural materials -- solid birch and cotton ropes. And it's safe for both indoor and outdoor use. (We do recommend applying one or two coats of urethane before leaving any unfinished wood product outside.)
The adorable Ecotribe wooden horse (also available in giraffe and unicorn designs) swing is suitable for kids up to 44 pounds from the ages of six months to three years. (That’s what the description says, but age two is a more reasonable upper limit because of its small size.) The seat is 17" x 11" x 11" and the rope hangs down a maximum of 78 inches.
It’s made of smooth hardwood (unfinished, although there is a finished options are available) and the ropes are made from all-natural cotton. No harmful chemicals are used in the manufacture of this product, and it complies with all US children's product safety standards. It smells wonderful right out of the box and is easy to assemble.
This charming and classic swing looks like something a super-handy grandparent would build as an heirloom piece for a grandchild. The quality of workmanship and the clever design make it a winner.
If you are the handy type yourself, we recommend buying the unfinished version and then finishing it yourself. Stain it, seal it, or decorate it however you like. (One clever parent even added steel marble eyes!) Whatever the end result, you’re going to have something that’s sure to be unique in your neighborhood.
>>Click here to see the Ecotribe Wooden Horse Swing at Amazon.
Beep! Beep! Kids will squeal with delight when they see this adorable thing. It’s SO DARN CUTE!
This sturdy little car has a steering wheel that turns and a horn that honks, but the wheels are just for appearance (they don’t turn, so you can’t drive it like a car). It hangs from nylon ropes – soft, not scratchy -- that are 3 to 3 ½ feet long, and it supports up to 50 pounds. Metal clips up top easily attach to a swing set (or tree straps). Very little assembly is required.
A seat belt is included to keep your child secure. Depending on the child’s size, you may want to add a little pillow or blanket for more comfort and stability.
This is a real winner for kids who love cars. And there’s a pink version for girls called the Princess Cozy Coupe.
>>Click here to see the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe First Swing at Amazon.Outdoor baby swings like the ones featured above are generally designed to hang from a swing set, but they can also be used INDOORS if you install the proper hardware and have enough clearance.
To use a baby swing as a TREE SWING, buy a quality strap kit, such as this one made by Wildjue. Straps are for the safety of both the baby and the tree.
Babies love to swing -- all the better if they’re out swinging in the sunshine and fresh air while surrounded by trees, flowers, birds, and other natural wonders. Any one of our recommended swings would be a quality and safe choice for an outdoor baby swing.
Product review by Lori and Douglas Freeman (updated February 2019).